In a profound effort to reflect on the impact of school closures, a documentary entitled “Beyond Closure” will be screened this week in the neighborhoods of Bronzeville and Englewood.
The film, produced by Borderless Studios and On The Real Film, initially premiered in December at the Chicago Cultural Center to a full house.
For those who missed the first showing, there are two additional opportunities to view the documentary: Wednesday at Kennedy-King College located at 740 W. 63rd St. in Englewood, and Friday at the Overton Center for Excellence, found at 4927 S. Indiana Ave. in Bronzeville.
The screening in Englewood will start at 6 p.m. and will feature a panel discussion afterward, whereas the outdoor screening in Bronzeville will commence at 6:30 p.m.
Filmmaker and executive producer Paola Aguirre expressed her aspirations for the film to resonate not only with viewers but also with policymakers.
She emphasized the importance of the film in light of the Chicago Public Schools district’s recent call for proposals regarding the development of closed school sites.
Aguirre raised concerns that the lessons from the 2013 school closures have not been adequately acknowledged, questioning why the community continues to face struggles.
“It’s like there are no lessons learned, and no one’s listening. Why are we still struggling?” Aguirre said, reflecting on her frustration.
As a Harvard-educated urban designer, Aguirre played a vital role in the redevelopment of Overton Elementary when it was closed alongside 49 other schools on the South and West sides due to the decisions made under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Despite her disappointment regarding the city’s actions, Aguirre finds encouragement in the support she receives from activists and artists such as Tonika Johnson, who will join her for the panel discussion at the Englewood screening.
The Go Green On Racine team, a coalition of organizations based in Englewood, is working to transform the former Woods Elementary building into a $26.6 million project that will include affordable housing, a health clinic, and a community center.
Both Overton and Woods Elementary feature prominently in the documentary, highlighting the ongoing dialogues about effective policy and best practices for repurposing closed school locations.
Aguirre stressed the necessity for approaches to redevelopment that are equitable, funded, and inclusive of community needs, pointing toward an increasing urgency for action.
She questioned what barriers prevent the city from exhibiting leadership in this matter, underscoring that the public should not be forced to navigate these issues independently when dealing with city-owned, publicly-funded facilities.
The documentary also serves as a call to action for city officials to prioritize community welfare over the interests of a few.
According to a 2023 report from the Sun-Times, out of the 46 buildings that housed the 50 shuttered schools, 26 remain closed, with 16 being vacant and publicly owned, and others sold but not yet reimagined.
Only 20 school buildings have found new purposes, with some being converted into CPS offices, private schools, or luxury housing developments.
Aguirre and her team celebrated a key achievement last July with the opening of a new public plaza at Overton, representing one of ten community spaces developed in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Development.
This project arose after the campus’s original plan for luxury apartments failed to materialize, ultimately transforming Overton into a $17 million community hub designed to accommodate entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
Plans are underway to convert Overton’s Child-Parent Center into an audio/visual studio aimed at benefiting artists and podcasters.
Aguirre’s team’s accomplishments have fueled her determination for continued advocacy, and she hopes to see collaboration between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the city’s planning department to foster productive outcomes.
“The community knows what they want, but it’s not what they’re getting,” she lamented, highlighting a disconnect between community desires and city actions.
In the meantime, Aguirre is actively seeking a distributor for her documentary to broaden its audience reach.
As this is her first film endeavor, Aguirre mentioned, “I was figuring out how to build the plane as I’m flying it, so I’m working towards that.
For now, I feel like we’ll continue to organize screenings, and I’m hopeful it will be available on a platform accessible to everyone by the fall.”
image source from：blockclubchicago
